About the /Northwestern Ontario Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in

MISSION STATEMENT

“Empowered by God! Shepherding the church! Serving the world!”

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

As we make decisions and plan ministry in the synod we will strive to: § Discern God’s will through scripture and prayer § Build community § Seek the common good § Shape and grow disciples § Foster partnerships § Share the gospel

MISSIONAL DIRECTIONS

Our work in mission is directed towards: • Strengthening all God`s people for discipleship. • Embracing passionately a call to spiritual renewal through: prayer, study, scripture, worship, give, tell, service. • Celebrating the abundance of God`s gifts. • Nurturing relationships with neighbouring congregations and the community at large • To build a ministry of presence within the synod.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) was formed in 1986 through the merger of the former Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCC) and Lutheran Church in America-Canada Section (LCA-CS). The ELCIC has 110,639 baptized members in 516 congregations across Canada.

Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario (MNO) Synod is one of five Synods of the ELCIC. The Synod covers 55 congregations in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario (as far east as Thunder Bay) and has a baptized membership of 14,304.

The 55 congregations within the MNO Synod are divided into 8 Areas listed below, representing the different areas that the Synod covers.

Manitoba Central:

Arborg, Ardal Geysir , Peace , Grace Riverton, Riverton- Gimli, Gimli Selkirk, Good Shepherd Inwood, Gethsemane Selkirk, Evangelican Lundar Teulon, St. Peter’s

Manitoba East:

Beausejour, Zion Ostenfeld, Ostenfeld Green Bay, St. Paul Pinawa, Pinawa Kenora, Bethesda River Hills, St. Pauls Lac du Bonnet, Cross Thalberg, Trinity Lydiatt, St. John Whitemouth, Redeemer

Page 1 Revised August 2017 Manitoba South:

Brunkild, St. Pauls Morris, Cross Carman, Grace St. John Rosenfeld, St. John Emerson, Emmanuel Starbuck, Trinity Friedensthal, Zion Steinbach, St. Paul’s

Manitoba West:

Baldur, Immanuel Glenboro, Glenboro Brandon, Redeemer Langruth, Grace Erickson, Erickson Thompson, Lutheran United Flin Flon, First United Waldersee, Christ

Northwestern Ontario: Bergland, Trinity Thunder Bay, Hilldale Fort Frances, Zion Thunder Bay, Our Saviour’s Pass Lake, Salem

Winnipeg Central:

Winnipeg, Cross Winnipeg, St. John’s Winnipeg, First Winnipeg, St. Stephen & St. Bede

Winnipeg North:

East St. Paul, Abundant Life Winnipeg, Sherwood Park Winnipeg, Grace Winnipeg, St. Luke Zion Winnipeg, Prince of Peace

Winnipeg South:

Winnipeg, Epiphany Winnipeg, Messiah Winnipeg, Faith Winnipeg, St. Mark’s Winnipeg, Gloria Dei

The decision making body of the MNO Synod is the triennial convention. The voting delegates to convention are active MNO Synod Rostered Ministers, a limited number of retired Rostered Ministers, elected lay members of congregations, lay members on MNO Synod Council and 12 youth delegates appointed by synod council in consultation with the 8 Areas. The Convention elects the Synod Council, made up of the Executive plus 7 other members to do the visioning and the business of the synod between conventions. The Executive consists of the Bishop, Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The remaining council members are made up of five lay persons and two rostered ministers. Synod Council meets 2 to 3 times per year, and the Synod Executive meets 3-5 times per year

Synod Council oversees 3 committees, each with their own mandate. The committees are as follows: • Mission • Candidacy • Youth

Committees are appointed by the Synod Council for three-year terms. The Committees model their ministry around the missional directions set by Synod Council and report to Synod Council annually. Synod council reports to the Synod Conventions on the activities of the Committees.

In 2001, the ELCIC and Anglican Church Canada signed the Waterloo Declaration, which encourages both church bodies to work together in many ways and to freely exchange members and clergy with each other. In June of 2013, the MNO Synod moved its offices, and we are now sharing space with the Diocese of Rupert’s Land of Anglican Church Canada, in a building owned by the Diocese in Fort Garry. Our 2 offices are very supportive of each other, and have developed a wonderful working relationship.

Page 2 Revised August 2017 ROSTERED MINISTERS

There are currently 87 rostered ministers on the roster of the MNO Synod. Their status is as follows:

Active: 35 24 are serving Lutheran congregations 2 are serving Anglican congregations 6 are serving calls other than congregations 3 are Anglicans serving Lutheran congregations

Retirees: 47

On Leave from Call: 5

MNO SYNOD BISHOPS

Retired Bishop Lee Luetkehoelter 1986 to 1994 Retired Bishop Richard Smith 1994 to 2006 Bishop Elaine Sauer 2006 to present

SYNOD OFFICE

Address: The MNO Synod shares office space with the Diocese of Rupert’s Land of the Anglican Church of Canada. The office is located in Fort Garry (near Pembina and Chevrier) at: Anglican Lutheran Centre 935 Nesbitt Bay Winnipeg MB R3T 1W6

Phone (204) 889-3760 Fax (204) 896-0272 E-mail [email protected] Website www.mnosynod.org Office Hours Monday to Thursday – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m (closed holidays)

SYNOD STAFF

Bishop Elaine Sauer: Bishop E-mail: [email protected] Rev. Tyler Gingrich: Assistant to the Bishop E-mail: [email protected] Ms. Debbie Beyer, Financial Administrator E-mail: [email protected] Ms. Cathy Stoyansky, Administrative Assistant E-mail: [email protected] Ms. Joanne Janzen, Canada Lutheran Editor E-mail: [email protected]

SYNOD E-NEWSLETTER

MNO Synod weekly newsletter is sent via email to Rostered Ministers, Chairs, and Treasurers and those who request to be on the recipient list. It can also be found on the synod website. This is the best mechanism to learn about upcoming events, news and articles relating to the synod, partners, the wider church, and the community. To subscribe and receive the e-newsletter go to: www.mnosynod.org/newsletter-subscribe

OTHER MINISTRIES

Prairie Fire Youth Ministry Band Since the late-1990s, Prairie Fire has been a band formed of young Lutherans who lead music at youth and young adult events. Membership changes from time to time, but the basic structure of the band includes: a lead singer, two guitarists, a bassist, a keyboardist, and a drummer. It is a significant commitment from auditioned, volunteer band members who practice together weekly between September and May; they lead music at long-weekend synod youth gatherings and at monthly synod youth and campus services. Prairie Fire has been a leadership-building opportunity for young people in the MNO Synod.

Page 3 Revised August 2017 Luther Village (Outdoor Ministry) Luther Village is a non-profit corporation, wholly owned by the Synod, and governed by a board of directors appointed by the MNO Synod Council. Luther Village is a spiritual camp located in a scenic wilderness setting on Dogtooth Lake, approximately one-half hour drive from Winnipeg and is open from May to October. Their winter office is located at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 560 Arlington Street in Winnipeg. www.luthervillage.ca

MNO Synod Foundation for Mission & Ministry Inc. This Foundation was incorporated in 1996 to promote the mission & ministry of the MNO Synod. It is governed by a Board of at least 3-4 Directors elected by the members on MNO Synod Council. The asset base at December 31, 2016 was $406,000.

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ? Contact the synod office and they would be happy to be of service.

Page 4 Revised August 2017